Alternative Assignment: Choose one of the topics and instead of presenting the information in a public speaking format, you will write a 2 page paper that answers all of the questions listed and more. You will need a bibliography and to cite in APA format. This paper is due November 29.
Timeline of Instability Mrs. Overly will give a general overview of Afghanistan’s government instability over time. The time line should include which religious was in charge and how they lost their position. Timeline should include any foreign or domestic wars, identify the leaders who are greatly revered and point out any signs of corruption.
Class Separation Group Members: Daneisha and Daishona
In the novel, there is a clear distinction between the two classes of people in Afghanistan (The Hazaras and the Pashtuns) Each of you should choose one group for the presentation. Help the class understand the religious roots of these differences and how violence has defined the relationship between the two for hundreds of years. Where do these different groups mainly live in Afghanistan? How do their appearances differ? Is one wealthier or more powerful than the other? How is the inferior group treated? Are they oppressed, denied jobs, or otherwise mistreated? Identify where the different classes have made progress and been pushed back. Make sure that you also include one of the most famous atrocities that took place in Mazāri Sharīf.
Muslim Faith Group Members: Scott and Alexa and Tom
There is very little education about the beginnings of the Muslim faith in American public schools today. Teach the class about the very interesting beginnings of Islamic faith which dates back to a very familiar Christian story in the Bible involving Abraham. Identify the five pillars of Islamic practice, the most important holidays of the year, and how this faith has split into major divisions over the course of history. When did this happen? When looking at the Middle East countries, which countries are largely Sunni and which ones are Shite/Shia?
Afghani Wedding Traditions Group Members: Jazzlyn and Wanda One of the best ways to learn respect for a culture different from your own is to see how all people, no matter where they live, celebrate life's most important rites of passage. The wedding in Afghani is a very traditional custom that calls for a great deal of family participation and involvement. This group will share with the class the typical customs, clothing, superstitions, and gifts for a wedding held in Afghanistan. How long is the wedding? What has to happen BEFORE a couple is married? Are marriages arranged? Is divorce an option? Are there any similarities?
Russians in Afghanistan Group Members: Austin and Aron
What were the Russians doing in Afghanistan? How did communism find a doorway into this very God fearing country? What did the Russians have to gain and why was the United States so interested in keeping Russia out? Who did America side with in order to make this secret mission possible?
Muslims Misconceptions Group Members: Shaniece and Renee
No religion has encountered as much scrutiny in the first decade of the 21st century like the followers of Islam. Search the internet and you will easily find examples of violence against Muslims all across America. Provide very recent examples. What organizations are involved in changing the opinion of America towards violence and what organizations fuel the hatred? Have these groups been successful or do you believe most of America still mistrusts Muslims?
The Shah-nameh / Rostam and Sohrab Group Members: John and J.T. The Shah-nameh is the celebrated work of the epic poet, Ferdowsi, in which the Persian national epic found its final and enduring form. Written for Sultan Maḥmūd of Ghazna and completed in 1010, the Shāh-nāmeh is a poem of nearly 60,000 verses, mainly based on the history of the kings of Persia in Pahlavi (Middle Persian) from mythical times down to the 7th century. For nearly 1,000 years, it has remained one of the most popular works in the Persian-speaking world and the inspiration for beautiful paintings and graphic art. The story of Rostam and Sohrab is one of the most popular stories and is well known by most children living in the Middle East. This group will introduce this epic story book and give a general overview of the content and conflict of these stories. This group will show pictures of the famous Rostam and Sohrab story as well as tell more details about this story including the cruel irony of the final scene. Make sure you mention the relationship the horses had and how this confusion happened in the first place.
Taliban in Control Group Members: Gray
Describe the Taliban’s rise to power in Afghanistan. Be sure to include their initial warm arrival to Kabul and help the reader understand how systematically, this group took over. Be sure to include pictures of the soccer stadium, burquas, Taliban beards, and any other detail mentioned in The Kite Runner. Do not go further than the late 90's since another group will be taking over the 'present' Taliban in a later project.
Women in Afghanistan Group Members: Tierra and Emily
There are characters in this novel who are much overlooked, but play an important role in maintaining the historical accuracy of the civil rights movements in Afghanistan. Trace the progress and oppression of women in Afghanistan over the last thirty-forty years and help us understand why the author includes Sonobaur in this story. Were women always treated so badly? How did life change for women when the Taliban took over? What laws changed for women and how did these laws effect the economy, education, and family life of Afghanistan?
Taliban Today Group Members: Tyler and Dave
This group will update the class on the current status and progress of the Taliban forces in Afghanistan. Are they still considered a threat to US forces? Have there been recent headlines regarding this group and where are the Taliban located these days? What areas of Afghanistan are controlled by the Taliban today? How is the Taliban funded? THIS is a great topic because in the end, I want this group to tell the class whether they believe the Taliban will be defeated by US forces.
PTSD Group Members: Kianna and Steve
This group will have a very important job to do. Many people are not aware of what PTSD is or how this illness affects the people who suffer from it. While PTSD has gained more awareness in recent years, the side effects of war and trauma did exist long before today. What was PTSD called before? How was it treated? What triggers PTSD? How does PTSD affect children differently than adults? What new research have we found about PTSD? How is PTSD treated? How long can it take for PTSD to present itself? Has US government armed forces changed their policies or treatment of PTSD?
Timeline of Instability
Mrs. Overly will give a general overview of Afghanistan’s government instability over time. The time line should include which religious was in charge and how they lost their position. Timeline should include any foreign or domestic wars, identify the leaders who are greatly revered and point out any signs of corruption.
Class Separation
Group Members: Daneisha and Daishona
In the novel, there is a clear distinction between the two classes of people in Afghanistan (The Hazaras and the Pashtuns) Each of you should choose one group for the presentation. Help the class understand the religious roots of these differences and how violence has defined the relationship between the two for hundreds of years. Where do these different groups mainly live in Afghanistan? How do their appearances differ? Is one wealthier or more powerful than the other? How is the inferior group treated? Are they oppressed, denied jobs, or otherwise mistreated? Identify where the different classes have made progress and been pushed back. Make sure that you also include one of the most famous atrocities that took place in Mazāri Sharīf.
Muslim Faith
Group Members: Scott and Alexa and Tom
There is very little education about the beginnings of the Muslim faith in American public schools today. Teach the class about the very interesting beginnings of Islamic faith which dates back to a very familiar Christian story in the Bible involving Abraham. Identify the five pillars of Islamic practice, the most important holidays of the year, and how this faith has split into major divisions over the course of history. When did this happen? When looking at the Middle East countries, which countries are largely Sunni and which ones are Shite/Shia?
Afghani Wedding Traditions
Group Members: Jazzlyn and Wanda
One of the best ways to learn respect for a culture different from your own is to see how all people, no matter where they live, celebrate life's most important rites of passage. The wedding in Afghani is a very traditional custom that calls for a great deal of family participation and involvement. This group will share with the class the typical customs, clothing, superstitions, and gifts for a wedding held in Afghanistan. How long is the wedding? What has to happen BEFORE a couple is married? Are marriages arranged? Is divorce an option? Are there any similarities?
Russians in Afghanistan
Group Members: Austin and Aron
What were the Russians doing in Afghanistan? How did communism find a doorway into this very God fearing country? What did the Russians have to gain and why was the United States so interested in keeping Russia out? Who did America side with in order to make this secret mission possible?
Muslims Misconceptions
Group Members: Shaniece and Renee
No religion has encountered as much scrutiny in the first decade of the 21st century like the followers of Islam. Search the internet and you will easily find examples of violence against Muslims all across America. Provide very recent examples. What organizations are involved in changing the opinion of America towards violence and what organizations fuel the hatred? Have these groups been successful or do you believe most of America still mistrusts Muslims?
The Shah-nameh / Rostam and Sohrab
Group Members: John and J.T.
The Shah-nameh is the celebrated work of the epic poet, Ferdowsi, in which the Persian national epic found its final and enduring form. Written for Sultan Maḥmūd of Ghazna and completed in 1010, the Shāh-nāmeh is a poem of nearly 60,000 verses, mainly based on the history of the kings of Persia in Pahlavi (Middle Persian) from mythical times down to the 7th century. For nearly 1,000 years, it has remained one of the most popular works in the Persian-speaking world and the inspiration for beautiful paintings and graphic art. The story of Rostam and Sohrab is one of the most popular stories and is well known by most children living in the Middle East. This group will introduce this epic story book and give a general overview of the content and conflict of these stories. This group will show pictures of the famous Rostam and Sohrab story as well as tell more details about this story including the cruel irony of the final scene. Make sure you mention the relationship the horses had and how this confusion happened in the first place.
Taliban in Control
Group Members: Gray
Describe the Taliban’s rise to power in Afghanistan. Be sure to include their initial warm arrival to Kabul and help the reader understand how systematically, this group took over. Be sure to include pictures of the soccer stadium, burquas, Taliban beards, and any other detail mentioned in The Kite Runner. Do not go further than the late 90's since another group will be taking over the 'present' Taliban in a later project.
Women in Afghanistan
Group Members: Tierra and Emily
There are characters in this novel who are much overlooked, but play an important role in maintaining the historical accuracy of the civil rights movements in Afghanistan. Trace the progress and oppression of women in Afghanistan over the last thirty-forty years and help us understand why the author includes Sonobaur in this story. Were women always treated so badly? How did life change for women when the Taliban took over? What laws changed for women and how did these laws effect the economy, education, and family life of Afghanistan?
Taliban Today
Group Members: Tyler and Dave
This group will update the class on the current status and progress of the Taliban forces in Afghanistan. Are they still considered a threat to US forces? Have there been recent headlines regarding this group and where are the Taliban located these days? What areas of Afghanistan are controlled by the Taliban today? How is the Taliban funded? THIS is a great topic because in the end, I want this group to tell the class whether they believe the Taliban will be defeated by US forces.
PTSD
Group Members: Kianna and Steve
This group will have a very important job to do. Many people are not aware of what PTSD is or how this illness affects the people who suffer from it. While PTSD has gained more awareness in recent years, the side effects of war and trauma did exist long before today. What was PTSD called before? How was it treated? What triggers PTSD? How does PTSD affect children differently than adults? What new research have we found about PTSD? How is PTSD treated? How long can it take for PTSD to present itself? Has US government armed forces changed their policies or treatment of PTSD?